35

H.—ll

Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. —For breaches of awards thirty-seven cases were taken, and in each case a penalty was imposed. Servants' Registry Offices Act. —There are eight servants' registry-offices, and generally the businesses are well conducted. On several occasions, however, men have been sent to employment only to find the vacancies filled. Often these men, being a long way from home, have not troubled to ask for a refund of the fee paid by them, or where they did claim the refund they were told by the registry-office keeper that he was " simply an agent of the employer " and the only recourse for redress was to the employer direct. Masterton. The Inspector (Mr. J. C. Yorke) reports: — Central. —The season for meat freezing, preserving, canning, <tc, has again proved to be a record one, the quantity of stock which came forward having rendered enlarged premises necessary. The building trade has been fairly prosperous throughout the year, although the strike gave it a decided check, causing a shortage of work for carpenters and joiners for two or three months. The sawmilling industry has been fairly active, although every year that passes makes it necessary to seek the raw material farther away from the centre of population. There is a large number of butter and other boxes made here, for which a great quantity of white-pine is hauled in from a distance of about twenty miles. During the past season shearing was interfered with to an unusual extent, mostly by very bad weather. Dairying is one of the most important industries in the Wairarapa district, and the past year has been an ideal one from the dairyman's point of view. The output of butter and cheese has been a record one, and the prices obtained have been high. For the retail trades the past year, it is generally reported, has been one of prosperity. Factories Act. —This Act continues to work smoothly, and it has not been found necessary to take any prosecutions under it during the past twelve months. Ten accidents were reported, and, although several of them were of a serious nature, none proved fatal. Shops and Offices Act. —Two prosecutions were taken under this Act. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. —The necessary inspections and investigations in connection with this Act and the different awards in force have been carried on continuously. Five cases for enforcement of awards were taken in the Magistrates' Court; conviction was obtained in each case. Servants' Registry Offices Act. —There are three licensed registry-offices in this district. Several complaints were received from workers with regard to the keepers of these offices failing to withdraw advertisements from the daily papers when the situations offered were filled, thus causing expense and loss of time to those seeking places. Men's Employment Branch. —There has not been serious cause for complaint during the past year on account of slackness of work. Nelson. The Inspector (Mr. S. Tysou) reports :— General. —Labour-conditions have continued satisfactory. Notwithstanding the strike of waterside workers which took place in November last, trade and business throughout the district have been fairly good, and show a marked improvement on last year. There was no dearth of employment during tltfe year. Fruit-preserving, one of the most important industries in the district, continues to expand. Several new factories have been erected during the year, whilst factories which were in existence have extended their operations and increased their plants. The great difficulty of obtaining suitable labour seriously affects this industry. The local freezing-works has had a very prosperous season. A considerable number of buildings has been erected in both the city and country districts, and "all classes of building tradesmen have been well employed. Factories Visits of inspection were paid to the factories throughout the district. Generally speaking, workrooms and sanitary conveniences have been much improved, and are now very satisfactory. There are still, however, a few old buildings which in the course of time will have to be condemned to give place to new and better structures. Six accidents were reported, but none was of a very serious nature. Inquiry was made into the cause of accident in all cases. Shops and Offices Act. —Visits of inspection have been paid to all shops in the district. A considerable improvement has taken place with regard to sitting-accommodation provided for female assistants In some of the larger establishments provision is also being made for installing heating appliances during the winter months. Five cases were taken under this Act, and convictions were obtained in four instances. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. —The work entailed under this Act has considerably increased during the year. As a rule, employers and employees have made themselves conversant with the provisions contained in the awards affecting them. During the year forty complaints re breaches of awards were received; proceedings were taken against seven persons. Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act. —Visits of inspection were paid to nine out of a total of twelve sheds during the year, and the general conditions were found to be satisfactory. Visits of inspection were also paid to all sawmills and flax-mills throughout the district. In many instances the accommodation provided for workers was inadequate, and